3 Indian ministers resign ahead of Cabinet reshuffle this weekend

NEW DELHI – Three Indian ministers say they have resigned ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh later this weekend.

The reshuffle is aimed at refurbishing the image of Singh's government tainted by a series of corruption scandals involving several ministers ahead of parliamentary elections due in 2014.

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The ministers of information and broadcasting, tourism and social welfare told reporters Saturday that they were quitting to help rebuild the Congress Party in the run-up to the next general elections.

On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna also resigned, saying he wanted to strengthen the party organization in his home state of Karnataka.

Singh is expected to change his Cabinet on Sunday, assigning responsibilities to younger party members in what is expected to be the last reshuffle before the elections.